Photo Revisited

One of my favorite photos of my precious niece. I went back and spruced it up a bit.

Just something a little different. Enjoy.

Last of the swing pics...until next time

Here's the last two swing pics I wanted to include. If the moving one makes you sick, sorry, if you want to know how its done, here's how.

No its not photoshop, its all in the shot. You do need a camera with some manual controls.

1. Set your camera to shutter priority

2. Set your shutter to something slower. This photo was done at 1/15

3. Pop that flash up and set it to "rear" mode. This means the flash ignites at the end of the exposure so the movement streaks are behind the subject in motion.

4. As the subject moves, move the camera with it and snap the picture during movement. The slow shutter will create the streaks while the flash will freeze the subject.

5. You want the flash to freeze the subject only. You don't want the "flash" look. So turn down the flash power until it looks natural.

6. The more zoom you use the more motion streaks but the harder it will be to follow the motion.

7. Have fun doing something different! Oh, and take lots of shots. Expect to do a lot of deleting before you get that one.

Let me know how it goes. Enjoy.

Also notice that 3 of the 4 photos were taken with the sun behind the subject as the sun is going down. This makes for a much more pleasing photograph by highlighting the subject away from the background.

Swinger

Rowan experienced his first swing experience and of course loved it. I think his favorite part was the taste of the fine rubber seat. What's best is that I got to experience one of Rowan's firsts for once. This was a father son only outing.

Windows = great photo ops

Rowan is digging the window and now that he can hold himself in a standing position (he'll be mowing the lawn in no time) he has created some great photo opportunities. Windows are a great way of getting some nice soft lighting indoors and best of all you don't have to use the nasty pop up flash unless you want to fill in some shadows. I personally like my drama.

Accidents on the accident

I thought I might take this photo further. Let me know which you like better.

Happy Accident

Put down your torches and your pitch forks. The happy accident is not the boy. This picture was terribly over exposed but I still really liked it so I made it work in Photoshop. Now its one of my all time favs. Thanks Photoshop.

What were you thinking?

Apple what were you thinking? I love my ipod shuffle. I think its the greatest gadget ever for working out. Well, Apple just released the new shuffle and instead of out doing the last one they have really taken a step backwards. The only way you can control the stupid thing is by using their own headphones. Awful headphones by the way. It may be a little smaller but in order to make it smaller they had to put the controls somewhere else. Seriously how small do we need the thing? I have a hard time keeping track of the one I have already! I hate when companies do this. They lock you in on their products. Well I will never buy one of these. Hopefully the one I have lasts. Thats all I can say.

But wait Jon! It talks to you and tells you what song you're listening to! While the song is playing!....seriously....what were you thinking?

PS It also has a lower battery life

Yes he does smile

I would be doing Rowan an injustice if I didn't post a typical smiling photo. This is usually his expression (esp. when daddy comes home)

1/2 yr old kid

Sitting up on his own (kind of), this young man struck such a pleasant pose.

Keep your job with the help of Gordon Ramsey

If you don't know Gordon Ramsey, watch Hell's Kitchen on Fox Thursday nights at 9/8c. You'll discover one of the most ruthless, crass, and merciless character's on TV, and yes I did say character. Ratings do matter after all. Nevertheless, HK is the only show on television I will actually watch without it having been coincidentally stumbled upon. Besides being a culinary fascist, Chef Ramsey wants only the best in everything that comes out of his kitchen. It is, after all, his product. I find myself at work wondering if Chef Ramsey would approve of the product I create for our clients. Or would he curse me out and make it want to weep all over my keyboard?

Today in our tough economy, it is more crucial than ever stay competitive in our industries. Let us all break out of mediocrity and strive for that next level in our work and/or lives in general until we can finally get the approval of our inner Ramsey's.

Another great show

I greatly appreciate a program (esp. on local broadcasting) that conjures up thoughts about ourselves and our association with others. "What would you do" is a show that does just that. It puts people in certain situations to see how they would react. Its actually very funny most the time but also makes us evaluate our own level of courage to stand up for the right thing. Go to abc.com and watch a couple episodes!

Diamond in the rough

Heather and I use Netflix and we're getting 3 at a time currently. It amazes me how infrequently I am inspired to share a movie. Most movies these days, esp. when you browse the new release blockbusters, are simply uninspiring and aim only to titillate.

Grace is Gone is a wonderful, simple movie about a father who's wife is killed in Iraq and struggles to find the courage to tell his two daughters. The acting is great (one of John Cusack's best, and for once his sister isn't in it) and the story stirs up a lot a good amount a emotions without becoming a sob story. Give it a look-see.

Who would have ever thought they would come out with another Godfather. I see another american classic coming our way.